INTERVIEWS WITH SHELTER HOUSE DIRECTORS, POLICE, LAWYERS, SOCIOLOGISTS, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARE PRESENTED. ALTHOUGH ONE-FOURTH OF ALL MURDERS OCCUR WITHIN THE FAMILY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONLY A FAMILY PROBLEM. WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE FEEL ISOLATED, ASHAMED, AFRAID, AND GENERALLY ARE NOT AWARE OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM. THEY OFTEN COME FROM FAMILIES WITH A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. VICTIMS REMAIN IN THE HOME BECAUSE THEY FEAR FOR THEIR OWN OR THEIR CHILDREN'S SAFETY, THEY BELIEVE THINGS WILL CHANGE, OR THEY ARE ECONOMICALLY DEPENDENT. CAUSES OF SPOUSE ABUSE ARE LEARNED VIOLENCE, THE INFLUENCE OF STANDARD SEX ROLES, AND FEELINGS OF FRUSTRATION AND INADEQUACY ON THE PART OF THE ABUSER. CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS DESCRIBED ARE THE PAWTUCKET (R.I.) CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM PROJECT, THE CAMBRIDGE (MASS.) TRANSITION HOUSE, AND THE BAY STREET MEDICAL CENTER (MASS.). POLICE OFFICERS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND SOCIAL WORKERS ARE TRAINED IN DEALING WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS, IN COLLECTING EVIDENCE ON ABUSE, AND IN INSTRUCTING WOMEN WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE HELP AND COUNSELING. VICTIMIZATION CENTERS, SHELTER HOUSES, AND COMMUNITY DISPUTE CENTERS ARE OTHER AVAILABLE SERVICES. LEGAL MATTERS THAT ARISE AFTER WIFE ABUSE IS REPORTED OR THE WIFE LEAVES THE HOME INCLUDE DECISIONS TO ISSUE A CIVIL INJUNCTION, DIVORCE, PROPERTY SETTLEMENTS, AND CHILD CUSTODY. RECOMMENDED SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN ARE PROVISION OF 24-HOUR HOTLINE SERVICES, IMMEDIATE AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF EMERGENCY HOUSING. MORE FEDERAL FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR THESE PUBLIC SERVICES ALONG WITH LOCAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE. CRIMINAL LAWS SHOULD BE ALTERED IN FAVOR OF ABUSED SPOUSES AND PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD WIFE BEATING MUST BE CHANGED. (DAG)